9News Covers CCIA Launch - Cleantech: 'The only industry hiring right now'

"DENVER - The fastest-growing industry in Colorado might be the "only industry that's hiring right now," according to the executive director of a trade association formed to maximize its potential.

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association was officially launched at an event inside the Governor's Mansion on Thursday to celebrate the 300 companies who have already hired roughly 20,000 workers and brought in more than $300 million in venture capital last year alone.

'In my years of economic development, I see this as having more potential than the IT sector did,' said Chris Shapard, who runs the new trade group that lists Colorado's traditional energy companies, its research institutions, renewable technology leaders and state offices as its members. 'The passion that I've seen here is incredible. The drive, the energy, no pun intended, is much more than other sectors that I've seen.'"

Link to 9News coverage of the CCIA launch by Adam Schrager